[Williamsburg] Monday the 3rd day of
February 1777
On the Recommendation of the navy Board, it is Ordered that a Commission issue appointing George Chamberlaine second Lieutenant of the Brigantine Musquetto in the room of Robert Bolling who is recommended first Lieutenant of the Manley Galley.
Mr. President having received information that a Sloop from Martinico bound to Baltimore laden with Powder and Soldiers Cloaths had been chased up East River by some British Ships of War, and that the Captains Orders were to deliver the said Cargo to the Order of some Committe or Convention shoud necessity oblige him to put into any port in Virginia, wrote a Letter to Sir John Peyton of Gloster County, desiring him to receive the aforesaid Cargo and guard it, and to send an Accot to the Governour and Council of the Steps he may take in this Affair.
On the Recommendation of the Navy Board, a Commission issue appointing John Pasteur captain of the Pilot Boat Molly, dated the thirtieth of January last past
A Permit issued to the Sloop Industry, Captain Hutchings, to trade to Bermuda, laden with Tobacco and Flour per Manifest filed. Bond with security exd acknowledged, and ordered to be recorded.
On the Recommendation of the Navy Board; Commissions issued appointing Goodrich Boush to the Command of the Washington Galley; James Tenant first Lieutenant of the Norfolk Revenge Galley, and Edward Latimer first Lieutenant of the pilot Boat Molly.
Whereas the Council some time ago received Information that Flour sold low in the Foreign West Indies, and that Indigo commanded a good price, which being a less Bulky Commodity must make a more profitable Cargo for our small Vessels, and had determined to send several swift sailing vessels to Charles Town in South Carolina, addressed to Peter Rutledge, who was desired by Letter from his Excellency the Governour to cause to be purchased for the use of this State about eight tons of Indigo, and to draw on our Delegates in Congress for the cost and charges thereof. And the armed Boat Henry commanded by Captain Pasteur being ready to sail to Charles Town for the purpose of taking in a load of Indigo to be consigned and carried to messieurs Vanbibber and Harrison of St Eustatia and Martinico. Upon Colo [William] Ayletts recommendation, The President directed the Captain to take on Board from Portsmouth fifty Barrels of flour, and apply the neat proceeds to the Credit of this State. And Letters to our Delegates at Congress and President Rutledge were written in Consequence of the ships [sic steps] which had been taken & recorded in the Letter Book.